Chiefs trio to face Wales

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Skinner is one of four changes England have made to the side that beat Japan 59-7 for their second World Rugby Under-20s Championship match against Wales on Saturday, kick off 7.30pm BST (live on BT Sport 1).

Skinner (above), who was used as a replacement in the Japan encounter, is brought in alongside Howard Packman, Kieran Treadwell and Sebastian Adeniran-Olule for the game at Stadio San Michele in Calvisano,

As well as Skinner, Exeter club-mate Stuart Townsend also starts the game, whilst hooker Jack Innard is again named on the bench alongside Josh Bainbridge who is a new face on the bench, having last featured for England against Wales in the opening game of the Six Nations when the reds claimed a 21-12 victory.

Head Coach Jon Callard said: “Wales played very well that day, we weren’t on our game and they forced a lot of errors.  We learned a huge amount from that experience and have since progressed from strength to strength.  Wales however will also have developed throughout the Six Nations so we know that tomorrow will be a tough fixture.”

In their first pool game Wales went down 19-10 to France so will be keen to take their performance to the next level against England.

“A team always hurts after a defeat,” Callard added.  “In this competition every game matters because of the format, but for us it is about staying composed and keeping to our processes.

“Howard Packman and Kieran Treadwell add further experience to the side and were stalwarts of the Six Nations.  We have a full squad to pick from, everyone is fit and raring to go, so we need to manage and rotate players in what is a long and demanding campaign.

“We are fortunate to have an excellent management team – the medical staff and our Strength and Conditioning Coach Neil Taylor have done an excellent job getting the players into top physical condition and enabling them to acclimatise and cope with the heat.  We had a fantastic training session yesterday and are looking forward to turning the hard work into a positive performance tomorrow.”


England Under-20s squad to play Wales:

15 Aaron Morris (Saracens)

14 George Perkins (Saracens)

13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)

12 Max Clark (Bath Rugby)

11. Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)

10 Rory Jennings (Bath Rugby)

9 Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)

1. Sebastian Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins)

2 Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie)

3 Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie)

4. Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins)

5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, capt)

6 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)

7 Will Owen (Leicester Tigers)

8. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs)



Replacements:

16 Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs) 

17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Rugby)

18 Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks)

19. Will Witty (Newcastle Falcons)

20. Josh Bainbridge (Yorkshire Carnegie)

21 James Mitchell (Sale Sharks)

22 Lloyd Evans (Gloucester)

23 Piers O’Conor (Wasps)

England's Schedule: (Live on BT Sport)

June 2, England 59 - 7 Japan, KO 5.30pm BST, Stadio San Michele Calvisano

June 6, England v Wales, KO 7.30pm BST, Stadio San Michele Calvisano

June 10, England v France, KO 3.30pm BST, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Viadana

June 15, Semi-finals and knock-out games. Details TBC

June 20, Final and knock-out games, Details TBC